Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

A/N:Hello guys! I'm sorry for the really, really, really long update! I've been SO busy with school! Hope this chapter's good enough, though! Oh, and thank you so much to all that have reviewed! It really helps! :D

This chapter's for: Black'MirR0r! thank you girl! :D

(Oh, and this chapter is sort of like a side fic, the first part showing it from Tenten's point of view, and the second one, from Neji's point of view… I know most of you have encountered this one, so I hope it's alright. But if any of you don't understand, just PM me. Thanks!)

Enjoy!

Chapter X- Warnings and Duties

xOxOxOx

TENTEN's POV

I held the cold metal to his neck as he breathed heavily below me. "You lose." I said, smiling.

"Hn." He said, his pale eyes looking into mine. "First time."

I just scoffed. But what he said was true, in all the times we sparred and fought each other, this was the first time that he lost. And it also looked like he was taking it easy on me, but still… It was good to know that the times we had been training helped me improve and become stronger.

"Get off me." He said, turning his head to the side, and it amused me to see that there was a pink tinge on his cheeks.

"Oh… Sorry." I mumbled, standing to my feet, feeling my cheeks growing warmer. I didn't realize how strange our position had been. I stood up quickly and looked around. It was a probably an hour after we started training, but I didn't even feel tired. I glanced to the side and saw Neji walking towards a tree. He would always medidate after every training. He sat down at the edge and eyed me curiously. I turned away, mentally slapping myself. Why was I watching him in the first place?

As soon as I looked away, I heard something cawing from above. Me and Neji looked up at the same time, and I saw the same black bird I saw when I first came to this world. It dropped down in front of us. As its claws touched the ground, the bird suddenly disappeared and in it's place stood a young man wearing glasses.

"Hm… Training are we?" The man said, chuckling, as he pushed his glasses up. "That's no use." He said, turning towards me.

"What do you want, Kabuto?" Neji said, standing between us.

"He's calling for you." The man named Kabuto said, smiling.

"Hn." Neji said, turning around. "I'll bring Tenten back first." He said, beginning to walk away.

"Now." He said, walking towards us. "And besides… I can bring your brunette friend back instead."

Neji stopped in his tracks and sighed. "I'll see you later, Tenten." He said before leaving.

"I--" I started, but it was too late. He had gone. But before he did, he mouthed two words to me, probably so that the other guy wouldn't see it. "Be careful" he warned. I knew that, I knew it from the start. I watched him ran quickly up to the bath house… But why did I have a bad feeling about it??? I turned my gaze to the young man in front of me. He was smiling.

"So you're Tenten." He said.

"Obviously." I answered back, stepping away from him and making my way back to the Bath House.

"As I said before… you're just wasting your time. All this training your doing… It won't result to anything." He said, following me.

"Well, you'll never know unless you try." I said.

"Ha. You're brave, I give you that. But you're weak. You don't stand a chance against anyone."

I shook my head. There was no point in listening to him. But the words he said seemed to bring out doubts and fears inside of me. What he was saying was true… I was weak… I've been here for so long now, but I'm still not able to save my friends. What more can I do when I face the real battle that they'll give me? Yes, I have been able to beat Neji… but that was just practice, and like I said, he was going easy on me.

"What I still don't understand though, is why Neji keeps up with you. He never even speaks or stays with me unless needed… So why is he putting so much effort for someone like you? He works so hard everyday… That even when he's at the brink of exhaustion… He still manages to go to you, and help."

"Shut up." I muttered quietly. But deep inside me, I felt a sudden pang. Why hadn't I ever thought of it? He had told me that he was orochimaru's henchman yet, I still asked him for help. I always saw him tired and exhausted, but whenever I would ask him about it, he would only shrug. Why didn't I undertstand?. Was I really that much of a burden to him???

"Perhaps you remind him of something… Of what his human life used to be." Kabuto continued on. "He was always such a fearless boy, even when he first came here… he knew what to do. He was good at everything, completing everything he set his goal at. But… unluckily, there's still one thing he has yet to complete… Going back home."

I pushed back a branch that was blocking my way, but I couldn't help but listen to whatever he said. Those words reminded me of the sad look in Neji's eyes when I asked him about his family, and I felt a slight pang of pain. I, who only stayed here for a few weeks, was already becoming so homesick. But what more for him? How long had he stayed in this place? How long had he not seen them? I remembered the way he smiled, the way he hugged me when I told him that I would be there for him. I meant what I said, but only now did I realize, I was the one who needed him. He was always the one there for me. It was only then that I realized that he, along with Temari, was for now, my family. And I… I probably the only family –if not—friend, that he had in this rotten place.

"Ah… here we are." Kabuto said as the bath house came to view. I looked up at the building as we made our way. It looked exactly like what it looked like when I first saw it… and when I first saw Neji. I shook my head angrily. I must really stop thinking about him now. The bustling of the people inside met my ears as we finally reached the front door.

"I guess you better go now." I said coldly, facing Kabuto.

"You're right." He said chuckling, turning to leave.

I looked at him angrily once more, and turned my back on him, too. Just as I was entering the door, I heard him speak again.

"Just a little piece of advice. If anything leaks out… Stay. It's for your own good. And anyway, we're running short on servants."

"Wha--" I started, confused by what he said, but as I turned around, he had already gone.

xOxOxOx

"Finally…" I exclaimed exhaustedly, dropping myself to the bed, strangely, it had been the most tiring day of work. Which felt weird, coz ALL the days I've worked have been tiring. As I lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling, the words that Kabuto had told me earlier echoed in my head. "Just a little piece of advice. If anything leaks out… Stay. It's for your own good. And anyway, we're running short on servants." What did he mean?

I groaned in frustration as I racked my head for an explanation.

"Tired?" A familiar voice said from the doorway.

"Hey Temari." I said, turning to see the blonde standing near me, two cups of tea in her hand.

"Here. It helps." She said, handing me one.

"Thanks." I said, taking it from her, and sipping the sweet tea she always made me. The sugary, pleasant taste lingered in my mouth as my mind drifted back to the scenes earlier. The words that Neji mouthed. The warnings that Kabuto had given me.

"Hey… Something troubling you?" Temari asked me, sounding worried.

"Wha--? Oh… no, its nothing… Don't worry." I answered back, forcing myself to smile.

Her eyebrow rose suspiciously, by now, you should know that I already understand you pretty well, Tenten. I know when something's wrong… and when you're lying." She said, smiling.

"Thanks, Temari…" I said, sincerely. I don't know what I would've done if I hadn't met her. "It's just that…" I hesitated, it wasn't even that much of a bid deal.

"Come on… You can tell me anything… Don't worry." She said.

"Well, when we were training this morning, you know that guy named Kabuto? –she nodded—well, he came and told Neji that Orochimaru was calling for him." I explained.

"Well, it is pretty weird that Kabuto shows himself, he never does… Only so few of us have actually seen him… he only goes out for really important things, errands that Orochimaru-sama himself orders him to do." She explained. "But sometimes, he goes out for fun, of course. And it's only natural for Neji to be called, as I told you before… he IS the henchman."

I nodded. "But can you explain this words to me? Just a little piece of advice. If anything leaks out… Stay. It's for your own good. And anyway, we're running short on servants." I repeated the words that Kabuto had said, trying to imitate his voice. "What does it mean?"

Temari looked thoughtful. "I… Kabuto said that?" She asked curiously.

"Hai." I answered, nodding.

"Well… I'm sorry to disappoint you but… I can't understand it either." She said shaking her head.

"Oh…It's alright…" I said, failing to hide the disappointment in my voice.

"But…" She said, "Something IS bothering me… If anything leaks out? We're running short on servants…? I think… It's like he's… warning you…"

"Warning me?" I asked, surprised.

"Yeah… To stay… If you ever hear anything… If you don't want to ger hurt…" She said, but suddenly burst out chuckling. "But, come on, it's Orochimaru's most trusted servant we're talking about. Maybe he's just saying that so you wouldn't go training with Neji wnymore. So they can have that dear-Neji-poo to themselves."

I forced myself to chuckle. "Yeah… Maybe…"

"Just… Don't worry about it, alright?" She said, patting my shoulder before leaving her cup on the tray by the door and heading to her bed. "Anyway, I think I'm gonna sleep ahead of you. I'm too tired." She said, yawning and falling to her bed.

"Sure, good night Temari…" I said.

"Good night." She answered, rolling to her side.

I stared at her for a while before finally emptying my mug and placing it on the tray. I went back to my bed and gently lay my head on the pillow, staring at the ceiling. I run my hands through my hair and removed the ties holding the two buns on my head, letting my brown, wavy hair fall to my shoulders. Sighing, I smoothed my pillow and lay my head gently on the pillow. I closed my eyes slowly, until I finally fell asleep, the words that Temari said, replaying over and over in my head.

I never noticed it when someone snuck in.

xOxOxOx

NEJI'S POV

The cold metal clinged to my neck as she breathed heavily above me. "You lose." She said, smiling triumphantly.

"Hn." I said, looking deeply at her brown eyes. I hated to admit it but she did, and although I didn't fight her seriously, she was quickly improving, stronger than I though she would be. "First time." I countered.

She scoffed. I watched her eyes glint as she did. Though I would never admit it, I liked the way those brown eyes seemed to spark. I tried standing up, but then I finally realized the awkward position we were in, her whole body was practically on me.

"Get off me." I said immediately, turning my head side to side, feeling my cheeks growing warmer. I hate it when it does that, I don't even understand why.

"Oh… Sorry." She mumbled, standing to her feet, it amused me to see a pink tinge on her cheeks. I followed her and stood up. I made my way quickly to a tree in order to meditate. I always did after every training. I sat down at the edge when I saw her watching me. I eyed her curiously and she looked away. I smiled. I couldn't help it. Her actions always made me smile, no matter what she did… I mentally slapped myself as I angrily closed my eyes. I didn't know what was happening to me anymore.

Just as I was starting to meditate, I heard something cawing from above. Tenten and I looked up at the same time to see a black bird. As its claws touched the ground, the bird suddenly disappeared and in its place stood a young man wearing glasses. Kabuto.

"Hm… Training are we?" He said, chuckling as he pushed his glasses up. "That's no use." He said, walking towards Tenten.

I don't know what made me do it, but the next thing I knew, I was standing between them. "What do you want, Kabuto?"

"He's calling for you." He said, smiling.

I didn't need to ask who. I already knew. "Hn." I said, turning around. "I'll bring Tenten back first."

"Now." He said, walking towards us. "And besides… I can bring your brunette friend back instead."

I stopped and sighed. "I'll see you later, Tenten." I said before leaving.

But before I finally left. I mouthed her two words. Be Careful. And after I did, I quickly ran back to the bath house. I knew she was about to say something but I was long gone before she could even finish it. I felt bad about leaving her like that, especially with him… but things might have gone worse if he didn't leave immediately. And anyway, what would be so important that Kabuto was even sent to fetch me?

I panted as I finally reached the bath house. But before I opened the door, I turned back to see Tenten and Kabuto in the distance, judging by the movement of his lips, Kabuto seemed to be telling her something. I just hope he wouldn't be feeding her some crack-pot bullshit. I sighed as I gazed at her one more and opened the door.

"Be careful…" I whispered again, as if she could hear me.

xOxOxOx

I knocked softly at the great mahogany door before entering. "You called, Orochimaru-sama?" I asked.

"Ah… Neji-kun…" Came his slithering reply.

I hastily walked into the room.

"I need you… to get something for me." He said.

I nodded my head in understanding. It was one of those usual errands he sent me for.

"A necklace." He continued.

My eyebrow quirked in confusion. Necklace? That was something new.

"They said it is one of the most powerful in this world." He explained. "I need you to steal it for me."

"Hai. From where, Orochimaru-sama?" I asked.

"…" He said nothing as he looked intently at the fireplace. "I've seen it before… I've always wondered why the owner never used it, but I never bothered to find out why. But, now… now that I've read about it… I need to find out how it works… What its powers are."

I nodded, waiting for him to continue.

"The owner was… Tsunade. " He said, simply.

"Tsunade-sama?" I asked, puzzled. "But, Orochimaru-sama, didn't Tsunade-sama go back to the Human world after the three of you separated?"

"Yes… She did… But the necklace did not go along with her."

"So… Now it's with…?" I asked, waiting for him to answer.

"…" he turned around.

"Orochimaru-sama?"

"Jiraiya." He said.

I stood, perplexed. Jiraiya-sama? But… "I must have heard you wrong, Orochimaru-sama… I…"

"You heard me correctly. It is now with my once companion and friend, Jiraiya. It is from him I want you to steal it from."

"But… Jiraiya-sama is…" I stopped. How was I supposed to steal from one of the most powerful in this world? I had become, strong… yes, but not strong enough to… "Orochimaru-sama, wouldn't Jiraiya-sama be too powerful for me? How would I steal the necklace from him?"

"You will have your ways, Neji. Which is why I'm sending you. It is your duty to serve me. And besides, I'll give you a reward."

I stopped, surprised.

"If you bring me the necklace, I will allow you to go back."

xOxOxOx

I quietly made my way to her bed. It was the only way I could go back… And when I do, I could search for Tsunade-sama and ask her how to bring Tenten back… I finally found her bed, she was sleeping soundly, and for the first time, I saw her hair down, her long brown, wavy strands falling to her shoulders. I didn't know why I was there, all I knew was that I wanted to see her before I leave. I gently brushed wisps of hair that covered her face.

I didn't know if going was right or wrong… I didn't even know if I could make it back alive, but still, I stood up and gazed at her one last time before leaving the room and heading off to my risky journey.

END OF CHAPTER

A/N: This chapter's abit longer than all the rest, so I hope it makes up for the really long absence…:D. I've got the plot of the next chapters memorized in my head, waiting to be written, but there are still some unclear things… Like what to do with that stupid necklace… :D. Ideas are STILL VERY welcome, though… :D

Please review!